Ring assembly



March 28,1950 ,ALB A 2,502,116

RING ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 2, 1 948 I All Patented Mar. 28, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RING ASSEMBLY George F. Albrecht, Whitinsville, Mass.

Application January 2, 1948, Serial No. 30

Claims.

' This invention pertains to spinning and twisting rings such as are employed in ring spinning and similar frames in the production of textile yarns and threads, and relates more especially to a ring assembly comprising a ring of self-lubrieating type.

In my Patent No. 2,084,756 dated June 22, 1937, I disclose a spinning ring of a novel construction wherein the ring itself is of an oil absorbent material, thus providing a uniform and adequate lubrication of the ring without necessitating constant attention by the operator. In my Patent No, 2,403,255 dated July 2, 1946, I disclose an improvement upon the construction of the earlier patent whereby similar results are obtained, but by means of an embodiment of the inventive principles which is cheaper and easier to manufacture than that specifically disclosed in the earlier patent. The present invention constitutes a further improvement upon rings of the type disclosed in the aforesaid patents.

One object of the present invention is to provide a ring of minimum weight and which may be produced at low cost. Another object is to provide a ring construction which provides a reservoir of larger size than that of my previous patents without increasing the external dimensions of the ring assembly. A further object is to pro-'- vide' a ring having a minimum number of lintcollecting projections.

' A further object is to provide a ring of the type in question having a reservoir which may be automatically supplied with oil from a container of large capacity or which may be supplied with oil under pressure, if desired. Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out in the following more detailed de scrlption and by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. l is aplan view of the complete ring assembly according to one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the reservoir element of the ring assembly with the ring proper removed; Fig. 3' is a plan view of the ring removed from the reservoir and with the cover for the filling aperture removed;

"Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic section, to large scale, on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; r

' Fig. 5 is a fragmentary radial section through the reservoir ring, substantially on the line 5--5 of Fig. 2', and to larger scale; I

.Fig. 6 is a fragmentary radial section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1, to larger scale, showing the complete ring and reservoir assembly;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary radial section similar to Fig, 6 but illustrating a slight modification;

Fig. 8 is also a fragmentary radial section similar to Fig. 6, but showing a further modification; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary radial section, generally similar to Fig. 4, but showing a ring designed for use. with a traveler of different type.

Referring to, the drawings, the numeral I designates the spinning or twisting ring proper of the present invention. Like the rings disclosed in my above-named patents, this ring I is of homogenous one-piece construction. This ring I constitutes the traveler-guiding element of the ring assembly, and consists throughout of a material which is hard and durable enough to withstand the wear of the moving traveler and which is capable of taking and maintaining a visually smooth and even polished surface finish so as to reduce the friction between it and the traveler to a minimum. 0n the other hand, this traveler guiding ringelement i is of a porous material comprising throughout its entire substance a multitude of minute capillary canals and cavities so small as to be visible only with the assistance of a microscope and which are distributed throughout the material with substantial uniformity. This ring may be of any suitable substance, having the above characteristics. For instance it may beone of the synthetic resins rendered suitably porous in the final moulding operation, by procedures known to those skilled in the art. At present, however, it appears that certain metallic compositions or alloys are preferable, for instance compositions prepared from powdered metaL- -iron, cdpper, etc., together with graphite, and highly compressed and sintered. Such an alloy may, for example, be prepared by incorporating parts by weight of copper and 10 parts of tin with 6 parts of graphite and 2 parts of salicylic acid, all in a very finely divided state, the ingredientsbeing thoroughly mixed and then briquetted un'der high pressure to produce a ring of substantially the desired dimensions; The briq -uetting pressure is desirably of the order of 75,000 pounds'per square inch. After briquetting the rings are" sintered in a non-oxidizing atmosphere for approximately three hours at a temperature of the order of 1425 F. After removal from the sintering boxes, the rings are surfaced and sized, for example by the" use of concentric arbor and (remembers which squeeze and reduce the material of the ring to substantially the final desired dimensions.

The result of this procedure is to provide a ring which in its entirety is porous and capable of slowly transmitting a lubricating medium such as oil from one point to another. The microscopic structure of the ring may be likened to that of a fine sponge, and comprises a multitude of minute cells or canals generally communicating with one another and having walls of a bronze-like alloy. The cells which are exposed at the outer surface of the ring are in most instances open at such outer surface, although the ring is superficially solid, and, except under the microscope, its surface shows no indication of these open cells or pores.

This ring thus devised acts as-a capillary barrier, when interposed in the path of fluid, for example lubricating oil, cutting down the velocity of flow to a rate which, within wide limits, is substantially independent of the fluid pressure head so that so long as fluid is supplied to one side of this porous barrier, the rate of delivery from one side to the other will be substantially uniform, regardless of fluctuations in the supply head.

As diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 4, this ring I comprises a body portion 2 having the inner cylindrical surface 3, and the upper and lower edges 4 and 5 constituting guides for a traveler of the hook type. The ring also comprises the integral outstanding fiange 6 having the upper substantially fiat horizontal surface I, the lower horizontal surface 8 and the outer cylindrical edge E. The surfaces 3, 4 and 5 are shaped in accordance with conventional practice for the proper guiding of a traveler (not shown) of hook type.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, the flange 6 of the ring is provided at one point with an elongate marginal recess 9 designed to constitute a filling aperture through which oil may be delivered into the reservoir. When pro- As illustrated, the reservoir ring is of thin material, so that it is light in weight. It may be made from sheet metal by a pressing or spinning operation and is thus cheap to make. Since its walls are thin, the reservoir space is large, and will hold a substantial quantity of oil.

Preferably, although not necessarily, there is arranged within this reservoir space I9 a wick member 2I consisting, for example, of a piece of loosely twisted cotton roving or a piece of loose cotton braid, or it may be a length of felt, or a helical spring coil, or in fact any other appropriate material which is highly absorbent of the lubricating medium, or lifts the latter by surface tension. This wick is of such height that its upper edge bears against the under surface 8 of the flange 6 when the parts are assembled as vided with such a filling recess or aperture, it is preferable to provide the flange with an opening I0 adjacent one end of the recess 9 for the reception of a stud or screw by means of which a cover member II (Fig. 1) is secured to the flange. This cover member may be swung outwardly, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 1, so as to uncover the recess 9 during the filling operation, the cover preferably being provided with a depressed portion I2 which acts as a limiting stop when the cover is moved to operative position.

The reservoir ring I3 (Figs. 2 and 5) which constitutes a part of the ring assembly of the present invention may be made of any suitable material such as thin sheet brass, stainless steel or the like, or of a suitable plastic moulded to shape. This ring comprises a bottom wall I4, here shown as substantially horizontal, and upstanding outer and inner walls I5 and I6 respectively which are annular and substantially cylindrical, thus providing a ring of channel shape in radial section. As illustrated the outer wall I5 is higher than the inner wall I6, the top edge I! of the outer wall being spaced above the level of the top edge of the inner wall by a distance substantially equalling the vertical thickness of the flange 6 of the ring I. The space between the walls I5 and I5 of the reservoir ring constitutes the annular reservoir space I9, designed to receive a body 20 of suitable lubricant, for example oil.

shown in Fig. 6. The wick thus acts to feed oil to the under side of the flange 6 regardless of the amount of oil which may be in the reservoir.

The diameter of the outer edge E of the flange 6 may be such that when the parts are assembled, as shown in Fig. 6, with the under surface 8 of the flange resting on the upper edge I8 of the reservoir wall I6, the edge E ofthe flange engages the inner surface of the wall I5 of the reservoir with a very tight fit, for example a fit such as requires the exertion of substantial pressure in forcing the ring I downwardly into the reservoir ring. When the parts are thus assembled, the joint between the rings is substantially leaktight and the only entrance to the reservoir space is through the recess 9 in the ring I.

As illustrated in Fig. 2 it is preferred to have the ends of the wick 2I spaced apart to provide a well 22 registering with the recess 9 so as to facilitate the pouring of oil into the reservoir through the recess 9. To hold the wick in proper position short lengths of coiled spring 23 (Fig. 2) may be arranged adjacent to the respective ends of the wick, the springs acting to press the wick against the inner wall of the reservoir so as to hold the ends of the wick properly located.

Instead of uniting the rings I and I3 by a press fit, as above suggested, their meeting surfaces may be united, for example by welding or brazing or the like. Alternatively, as illustrated in Fig. '7, the outer wall I 5 of the reservoir ring may have its upper portion" I5 turned inwardly against a chamfer formed by beveling or recessing the upper outer corner of the flange 6.

In Fig. 8 there is illustrated a further modification wherein the outer wall I5 of the reservoir ring is provided with an opening which receives the end of a supply conduit 25 which may be connected to an oil supply of large capacity, for example a tank, from which the oil is delivered by gravity or by pump. With this arrangement the recess 9 in the flange fiwould be omitted and the rings are united leaktight in any appropriate way, for example by solder, as indicated at S and Z (Fig. 8). With this arrangement pressure may be maintained within the reservoir chamber I9 such as will tend to produce asomewhat more rapid flow of oil through the porous structure of the ring I than when the oil is fed merely by capillary action through a wick.

In Figs. 4 and 6 the ring I is shown as designed for use with a traveler of the hook-type. Fig. 9 illustrates a ring I designed for use with a traveler of C-type. Thus the ring comprises a body portion 2 having the inner cylindrical surface ."s

and the T-shaped upper portion having the in- 76 ner and outer guiding surfaces 4 and 5 for the C-shaped traveler. The horizontal flange 6 is integral with the body portion 2 and has the upper and lower surfaces 1 and 8 which are parallel and horizontal. This ring will be associated with a reservoir ring in the same way as the ring I above described.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been illustrated by way of example, it is to be understood that the invention is broadly in elusive of any and all'modifications and substitutions of materials falling within the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a spinning ring of the kind which constitutes the sole guide for a traveler, said ring having a traveler guiding portion and a radial flange, the flange and traveler guiding portions being integral and consisting of a unitary mass of material which is hard enough to form an acceptable guide for the traveler, but which is porous and contains a multitude of capillary passages capable of retaining oil but from which the oil flows outwardly to the traveler-engaging surface at a substantially uniform but very low velocity, an annular reservoir coaxial with the ring, said reservoir being of thin sheet material and having a bottom and spaced concentric upwardly directed walls, the outer wall being higher than the inner wall by an amount approximately equal to the thickness of the ring flange, the underside of the flange contacting the upper edge of the inner wall and the peripheraledge of the ring flange contacting the inner surface of the outer reservoir wall, the upper margin of the outer wall of the reservoir being so bent as permanent-, 1y to unite the ring and reservoir,

2. In combination with a spinning ring of the kind which constitutes the sole guide for a traveler, said ring having a traveler guLding portion and a radial flange, the flange and traveler guiding portions being integral and consisting of a unitary mass of material which is hard enough to form an acceptable guide for the traveler, but which is porous and contains a multitude of capillary passages capable of retaining oil but from which oil moves outwardl to the traveler-engaging surface at a substantially uniform but very low velocity, an annular reservoir of thin sheet material of substantially channel-Shape in radial section, the reservoir being disposed beneath the ring flange, the latter constituting a cover for the reservoir channel, the upper corner of the flange being chamfered and the upper portion of the outer wall of the reservoir being directed inwardly to overlie the chamfer thereby permanentl to hold the ring and reservoir in assembled relation, and outstanding ears fixed to the reservoir for securing the assembled ring and reservoir to the ring rail of the spinning frame.

3. In combination with a spinning ring of the kind which constitutes the sole guide for a traveler, said ring having a traveler guiding portion and a radial flange, the flange and traveler guiding portions being integral and consisting of a unitary mass of material which is hard enough to form an acceptable guide for the traveler, but which is porous and contains a multitude of capillary passages capable of retaining oil but from which oil flows outwardly to the traveler-engaging surface at a substantially uniform but very low velocity, an annular reservoir of sheet metal 01' substantially channel-shape in radial section, said reservoir underlying the ring flange, with the upper edge of the inner wall of the reservoir contacting the under surface of the flange, the latter being of a diameter such that the flange constitutes a cover for the reservoir channel, the outer wall of the reservoir embracing the edge of the flange and being permanently secured to the latter, and thin sheet metal ears fixed to the bottom wall of the reservoir, each ear having a slot for the reception of a fastener for securing the reservoir to the ring rail of a spinning frame.

4. In combination with a spinning ring of the kind which constitutes the sole guide for a traveler, said ring having a traveler guiding portion and a radial flange, the flange and traveler guiding portions being integral and consisting of a unitary mass of material which is hard enough to form an acceptable guide for the traveler, but which is porous and contains a multitude of capillary passages capable of retaining oil but operative to deliver oil outwardly to the traveler-engaging surface at a substantially uniform but very low velocity, an annular reservoir of thin sheet material of substantially channel-shape in radial section, the reservoir having inner and outer upstanding concentric walls, the upper edge of the inner wall contacting the under surface of the ring flange, the inner surface of the outer wall of the reservoir having substantially the same diameter as-the outer edge of the flange, and means permanently uniting the reservoir and flange.

5. In combination with a spinning ring of the kind which constitutes the sole guide for a traveler, said ring having a traveler guiding portion and a radial flange, the flange and traveler guiding portions being integral and consisting of a unitary mass of material which is hard enough to form an acceptable guide for the traveler, but which is porous and contains a multitude of capillary passages capable of retaining oil but operative to deliver oil outwardly to the traveler-engaging surface at a substantially uniform but very low velocity, an annular reservoir of sheet material having a bottom wall and inner and outer spaced concentric upstanding walls, the outer wall being higher than the inner wall, the upper edge of the inner wall contacting the under surface of the ring flange and the outer wall embracing the edge of the ring flange and having its upper edge directed inwardly to overlie a portion of the ring flange.

6. In combination with a spinning ring of the kind which constitutes the sole guide for a traveler, said ring having a traveler guiding portion and a radial flange, the flange and traveler guiding portions being integral and consisting of 1a. unitary mass of material which is hard enough to form an acceptable guide for the traveler, but which is porous and contains a multitude of capillary passages capable of retaining oil but operative to deliver oil outwardly to the traveler-engaging surface at a substantially uniform but very low velocity, an annular reservoir of thin sheet metal coaxial with the ring, the reservoir having an annular wall which embraces and which is permanently secured to the outer edge of the flange.

7. In combination with a spinning ring of the kind which constitutes the sole guide for a traveler, said ring having a traveler guiding portion and a radial flange, the flange and traveler guiding portions being integral and consisting of a unitary mass of material which is hard enough to form 'an acceptable guide for the traveler, but which is porous and contains a multitude of capillary passages capable of retaining oil but operative to deliver oil outwardly to the traveler-engaging surface at a substantially uniform but very iow velocity, an annular oil reservoir of thin sheet material coaxial with the ring, the ring flange constituting a cover for the reservoir, the reservoir having a part which is bent into retaining engagement with the flange thereby permanently to unite the reservoir and ring leak-tight, the flange having therein a filling aperture, and a closure for said aperture.

8. In combination with a spinning ring of the kind which constitutes the sole guide for a traveler, said ring having a traveler guiding portion and a radial flange, the flange and traveler guiding portions being integral and consisting of a unitary mass of material which is hard enough to form an acceptable guide for the traveler, but which is porous and contains a multitude of capillary passages capable of retaining oil but operative to deliver oil outwardly to the traveler-engaging surface at a substantially uniform but very low velocity, an annular oil reservoir of thin sheet material coaxial with the ring and underlying the ring flange, the latter forming a cover for the reservoir, means permanently uniting the reservoir and flange leaktight, and a filling conduit connected to the reservoir and operative to supply oil to the reservoir.

9. In combination with a spinning ring of the kind which constitutes the sole guide for a traveler, said ring having a traveler guiding portion and a radial flange, the flange and traveler guiding portions being integral and consisting of a unitary mass of material which is hard enough to form an acceptable guide for the traveler, but which is porous and contains a multitude of capillary passages capable of retaining oil but operative to deliver oil outwardly to the traveler-engaging surface at a substantially uniform but very low velocity, an annular sheet metal reservoir of channel shape in radial section having coaxial inner and outer upstanding walls, the ring flange fitting within the outer wall of the reservoir and being permanently united thereto so as to-pro-; vide a leak-tight joint between them.

10. In combination with a spinning ring of the kind which constitutes the sole guide for a traveler, said ring having a traveler guiding portion and a radial flange, the flange and traveler guiding portions being integral and consisting of a unitary mass of material which is hard enough to form an acceptable guide for the traveler, but which is porous and contains a multitude of capillary passages capable of retaining oil but operative to deliver oil outwardly to the traveler-engaging surf ace at a substantially uniform but very low velocity, an annular sheet metal reservoir having a bottom wall and spaced inner and outer upstanding walls, the under face of the ring flange contacting the upper edge of the inner reservoir wall, and the outer edge of the ring flange contacting the inner surface of the outer reservoir wall, said inner and outer reservoir walls being soldered to the ring flange to provide leaktight joints.

GEORGE F. ALBRECHT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

I UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

